title: The establishment of a methadone treatment clinic for women in Tehran, Iran.
abstract: In Iran women are less likely than men to use drugs, but suffer greater morbidity, are stigmatised, and are less likely to seek treatment. In 2007, we established a clinic in Tehran for drug using women. We report here on our study of the 97 women who registered in the first year of operation. We profiled these women: demographics, drug use, risk behaviour, and use of services. The clinic's services were heavily used. We interviewed clients and staff about the clinic and learned that intensive help is needed for women trying to recover from years of drug use. We conclude that female drug users will make use of harm reduction services if they are provided in a setting designed and operated for women.
authors.affiliation: Program of International Research and Training, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW, Sydney 2052, Australia. k.dolan@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salimi
authors.forename: Bijan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nassirimanesh
authors.forename: Setareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohsenifar
authors.forename: Azarakhsh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mokri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone